CHURCHGOERS in the Selby area have started a fundraising drive to stop their building crumbling around them.

All Saints’ Church, at Wistow, is believed to be the victim of acid rain as projecting stonework like buttresses and windowsills are now starting to erode and crumble.

If nothing is done, the building could become dangerous and could even have to be closed.

The church has now begun a fundraising drive to raise the £60,000 needed to fix the problem.

Parochial church council member Dorothy Howland said the diocese had given permission for the work to be done, but the permission would only last for two years so they had a limited amount of time to raise the cash and get the work started.

She said: “We’re hoping to get some money from grants but we have to do some fundraising ourselves.

“If we didn’t do the work, the church would probably have to be closed down as it would become dangerous. Something has to be done to keep the church open.”

All Saints’ has been visited by the diocesan surveyor, who has confirmed the building is currently safe for parishioners.

So far the church, which has an average congregation of about 30 people, has held a sponsored dog walk, which raised £193, but more events are planned. The work is similar – but not as extensive – as that required at Selby Abbey.

That work was completed in 2008 after an appeal was launched in 2000 to raise £4.5 million to repair the crumbling stonework.

There the damage had been caused by sulphates dissolved in rain.